HOPE Crew Helps Weather the Storm

In 2012, when Super Storm Sandy devastated the East Coast, one of the states hit hardest was New Jersey. Located on a small coastal outlet on the northeast tip of the state, the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area is home to many historic National Park Service buildings which were damaged by Sandy.

Building 26 was the site of a restoration project undertaken by HOPE Crew. Members from the New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg removed and built masonry posts along the porch floor, under the watchful eye of preservation expert Guy Hembling. The building, headquarters for the Park Service Unit, had been damaged to the extent that NPS staff were unable to walk on the porch en route to meetings.

This summer, corpsmembers began a project repairing the porch to provide appropriate access to NPS once again. It was a necessary, and meaningful, project for these young people as they learned about preservation.

Take a look below to explore the project via the photography of Duncan Kendall. You can see the site itself, some of the work in detail, and a closer look at a couple of the corpsmembers hard at work.

photo by:
Duncan Kendall

Building 26, located in the Fort Hancock Historic District, is the Headquarters for Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit.

photo by:
Duncan Kendall

The Fort Hancock Historic District, a decomissioned U.S. Army base, is comprised of over 60 historic structures.

photo by:
Duncan Kendall

All 60 structures are in varying states of disrepair due to years of harsh climatic conditions and their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

“It wasn't just about the porch, or the Park Service building...corpsmembers learned about the region's history, geography, and wildlife. It was a well-rounded experience for everyone. To have them immersed in an area so heavily damaged gave them an acute understanding of what went on three years ago with Super Storm Sandy. It gave them a newfound understanding, the ability to directly relate, and have more empathy for others.”

Michael Muckle, Director of the New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg

photo by:
Duncan Kendall

Corpsmembers were tasked with carefully measuring, cutting, and installing new roof joists to help rebuild the porch.

photo by:
Duncan Kendall

In addition to wood pieces, copper flashing also needed to be measured and cut.

photo by:
Duncan Kendall

The flashing was then installed on the ends of each piece of new lumber.

photo by:
Duncan Kendall

Every instance of wood coming into contact with the masonry elements of the building had to include copper flashing in order to wick away moisture.

“We actually get the privilege to get to come here and work on this building. We get to learn about our history, and learn those things to make us better employees as well. Plus, we get to be at the Jersey Shore for the summer, getting paid to do all this. How could you not appreciate that?”

Khalil, Corpsmember, New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg

photo by:
Duncan Kendall

Louie (left) and Phil (right) were part of the contingent from NJYCP to work on this HOPE Crew project.

photo by:
Duncan Kendall

Louie even had to brush up on his interview skills when media visited the project.

photo by:
Duncan Kendall

Phil, breaking for lunch, is now considering a career shift to construction. He had previously wanted to study culinary arts.

The project at Gateway National Recreation Area was one of the more than 50 that have been completed so far by the HOPE Crew program.

Tom Wall is the associate manager of Community Outreach. His background includes television production, journalism, nonprofit communications, and marketing. Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Tom is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication.